Science Rocks!

When I was young, science was my favorite subject in school and I was always on the lookout for interesting books on science topics. Today teachers, librarians, and young readers are still hunting for great STEM books. Fortunately, it seems more and more wonderful science titles are being published lately.

Every year I look forward to reading the new titles on the Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K-12 list. So I’m pleased to announce their 2018 list released today! This selection of wonderful science children’s books is a cooperative project of the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) and the Children’s Book Council (CBC). This year’s list includes 53 exceptional titles, which the NSTA press release says includes “topics that range from aardvarks to elephants, seagrass to solar systems and features brilliantly illustrated picture books, thoughtful stories, captivating text and inspiring ideas.”

To celebrate the new 2018 list, Picture Book Builders is pleased to welcome Laura Peraza (Children’s Book Council Design & Content Manager) to our blog. Laura kindly answered a few questions about their exciting science book list.

1. Why did the CBC decide to partner with NSTA to create the Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students list?

CBC’s mission has always been to bring groups together and promote a love of reading across all age groups and categories. The CBC does not make qualitative decisions about titles. Instead we partner with organizations who offer expertise in their various fields to select titles for our Best Of lists.

With the Outstanding Science list, we aim to be a source of books that inspire kids and teens to read more about science, and guide caretakers and science educators in finding titles that are not only educational and accurate but also grab the interest of young readers.

2. The CBC website has links to all the Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K-12 lists from 1996 to the present. When did this program begin?

The collaboration between the NSTA and CBC for the Outstanding Science Trade Books list started in 1973. Prior to 1996 we didn’t have digital files of the list, and have not yet been able to convert those older lists.

3. How many books are chosen for the list each year, and how are they selected?

The books are selected based on merit and not restricted by a set number, so the size of the list varies each year. The books are chosen from a list of submissions made by publishers around the country. They are read and selected by a committee of science educators and literacy professionals, appointed by NSTA.

NSTA’s recent press release also shares details about selection: “The review panel used rigorous guidelines to select the top books. Criteria include the amount of science content; presentation of material in a clear, accurate, and up-to-date manner; differentiation between theories and facts; avoidance of over-simplification; the use of data to support generalizations; and freedom from gender, ethnic, and socioeconomic bias. The panel also chooses books based on other considerations, including appropriate content level for the intended audience and accuracy of illustrations.”

But the CBC/NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Books list is that it’s more just than a list — it’s a valuable, go-to resource for teachers, librarians, and curious readers. Teachers I’ve met at book events and school visits have shared how titles on this list have helped motivate their “reluctant” readers, inspired students to investigate new science topics, and encouraged their science-focused children to improve their reading skills. How awesome is that?

This post features a few of the gorgeous book covers on this year’s list, but you probably can’t wait to check them all out.